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This summer a nasty wind and electric storm took out our power for 36 hours. Thankfully, I had a back-up home generator to provide power. I work out of my house, so I invest in a good home office set-up with dedicated office space, communication system, and computers. My clients expect me to be available. Most people who work full time at home and serve customers need power back-up as part of a home office investment.

We all will face a difficult day, an emergency, large or small will strike our world. The only question is what type of disaster, and when? The key to getting through with as little pain as possible is to be prepared in advance.

The prophet Isaiah wrote:

"You felt secure in your wickedness. 'No one sees me,' you said. But your 'wisdom' and 'knowledge' have led you astray, and you said, 'I am the only one, and there is no other.' So disaster will overtake you, and you won't be able to charm it away. Calamity will fall upon you, and you won't be able to buy your way out. A catastrophe will strike you suddenly, one for which you are not prepared.” (Isaiah 47:11 NLT)

Last week my home town of Detroit suffered a deluge of rain, over 20,000 homes suffered basement flooding as the sewer system could not handle the water. A week later, many are still a mess. Most residents never had this type of water before and didn’t know what to do. Should this disaster ever strike you, or someone you know these a few steps to take.

First, make sure the power is turned off to basement, otherwise you could get zapped. Do this regardless how little water is in the basement, water is an excellent conductor. Further, turn of any natural gas lines, water may snuff out a water heater or furnace pilot light.

One of the dangers of getting lost in the woods is staying warm, even many warmer locations can get cold at night, especially if you aren’t dressed appropriately. Few of us carry matches, unless camping. What happens if you wonder off, and get lost for a day or two?

A company called Rattlerstrap has come out with a unique product, a shoelace that has a small flint built into the shoelace tip. This provides enough spark to start a fire when struck with a steel edge.

Migrations have been a major part of world history, some migrations are a result of an effort to seek a brighter future, like the western migrations in the American and Canadian west. Others are the result of punishment, prisons being taken to Georgia and Australia for crimes committed. The Bible also shows us many migrations, large and small, directed by the Lord.

The first was Cain being forced away from the family after murdering Able. Abraham, Joseph, Mosses and Joshua all led migrations. Some migrations were for a far better opportunity. For example Pharaoh, “ …made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.” (Exodus 1:14) From slavery to the land of milk and honey was the promise. Abraham moved based on God’s promise,“…for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)

Other time migrations happened because of disobedience. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and said, “For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land At this time, And will cause them distress, That they may be found.” (Jeremiah 10:18)